This is "Arkies in the Beltway" for the week of April 28, 2024. I'm Alex Thomas — Washington Correspondent at the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette — with your look at national politics and the Arkansans influencing the discussions.

After months of inaction and much talk on Capitol Hill, Congress finally passed an international aid package to assist Ukraine, Israel and the Indo-Pacific.

The U.S. House of Representatives approved the funding first, followed by the Senate three days later.

The package received strong bipartisan support in both chambers, including from members of Arkansas' congressional delegation.

STORY: Arkansas lawmakers highlight international aid importance in $95.3 billion package signed by Biden

One House committee chairman is seeking answers regarding the March 19 raid at Bryan Malinowski's home that led to the Little Rock airport executive director's death.

Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, sent a letter to Steven Dettelbach, the director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, regarding the operation at Malinowski's west Little Rock residence and ATF procedures for executing search warrants.

A federal affidavit related to the search warrant of Malinowski's home states he had purchased more than 150 firearms and resold guns without a firearm dealer's license.

Malinowski, the executive director of Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport, was shot in the head at least once during the raid. He died two days after the incident.

Jordan, the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, requested the information after Rep. French Hill, R-Ark., asked the Ohioan to look into the case.

STORY: U.S. House Judiciary Committee chairman pushes for information surrounding fatal raid on Bryan Malinowski’s residence

Two Arkansas lawmakers in the House of Representatives are anticipating months and years of discussions surrounding the future rebuild of the Francis Scott Key Bridge near Baltimore.

Reps. Rick Crawford, R-Ark., and Steve Womack, R-Ark., are among the federal lawmakers whose committee work intersects with the response to the bridge collapse.

Crawford serves on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and Womack leads the House Appropriations Committee's subcommittee handling issues involving transportation, housing and urban development.

STORY: Crawford, Womack prepare for committee work on Baltimore bridge collapse

An Arkansan has joined President Joe Biden's reelection campaign as part of its communications team.

Adrienne Elrod, a Siloam Springs native, will work on the campaign as a senior adviser and spokesperson.

Elrod has built a resume with political experiences in Arkansas and Washington, D.C., including time with Hillary Clinton's two presidential campaigns.

STORY:

Welcome to "Arkies in the Beltway" for the week of April 21, 2024. I'm Alex Thomas — Washington Correspondent for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette — with your look at national politics and the Arkansans influencing the discussions.

The U.S. Senate opted to drop impeachment charges against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.

Senators dismissed the two charges along party lines; Arkansas' senators — John Boozman of Rogers and Tom Cotton of Little Rock — joined fellow Republicans in opposing this move.

The House of Representatives impeached Mayorkas in February, alleging the secretary willfully refused to enforce immigration laws and committed a breach of trust.

Speaking of Cotton, the senator spent part of last week defending comments he made concerning Pro-Palestinian demonstrations.

Cotton called on private citizens to "take matters into their own hands" in situations involving protests blocking roadways.

The comments stem from demonstrators shutting down traffic in multiple major American cities in hopes of bringing attention to Palestine amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.

STORY: Tom Cotton defends protest remarks calling on private citizens to ‘take matters into their own hands’

The House Natural Resources Committee has advanced legislation supporting state-led conservation work.

The America’s Wildlife Habitat Conservation Act would provide grants for supporting state wildlife habitat and conservation efforts.

Rep. Bruce Westerman, R-Ark., is the bill's lead sponsor. The Hot Springs congressman additionally serves as the committee's chairman.

Read the full story at arkansasonline.com.

Rep. Steve Womack, R-Ark., has a new role on the House Appropriations Committee.

Womack of Rogers has accepted the title of chairman of the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Subcommittee. The move was part of a series of internal leadership changes.

STORY: Womack embraces new appropriations role overseeing transportation, housing funds

Thank you for checking out this week's episode of "Arkies in the Beltway!" Make sure to keep up with all news involving Arkansas at arkansasonline.com. You can also stay up to date with what's happening in the nation's capital by following me online; my handle across all social media platforms is @AlexHouseThomas.

This is "Arkies in the Beltway" for the week of April 14, 2024. I'm Alex Thomas — Washington Correspondent for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette — with your look at national politics and the Arkansans influencing the discussions.

Plans are in motion to place two new statues of Arkansas icons at the U.S. Capitol.

Crews removed statues of Uriah Rose and James Paul Clarke on April 5 in anticipation of installing statues recognizing civil rights advocate Daisy Bates and musician Johnny Cash.

The Bates statue will arrive at the U.S. Capitol next month with plans for an official unveiling on May 8. Officials are considering dates in September for a ceremony concerning the Cash statue.

STORY: Arkansas statues removed from U.S. Capitol in anticipation of Bates, Cash statues

Members of Congress returned to Capitol Hill last week after a two-week recess, and they did not waste much time in addressing some of their legislative priorities.

In the House of Representatives, lawmakers backed a bipartisan outdoor recreation package addressing recreational opportunities and related infrastructure. Rep. Bruce Westerman, R-Ark., and colleagues on the House Natural Resources Committee have championed the EXPLORE Act since its introduction last November.

STORY: U.S. House passes Westerman-led recreation bill, needs Senate approval

And from Congress' upper chamber, Republicans on the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee have a new bill addressing federal crop insurance coverage. The announcement of the FARMER Act comes amid ongoing talks about the next farm bill, a legislative package addressing nutrition, rural development and agriculture programs.

STORY: Boozman joins U.S. Senate Republicans on crop insurance proposal

Rep. French Hill, R-Ark., lauded Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida after the leader addressed Congress during his recent visit to the United States.

Hill, of Little Rock, was part of the congressional Escort Committee ushering Kishida into the House chamber. The congressman has additionally prioritized the United States' relationships with its Asia-Pacific allies through his policy work.

STORY: Hill: Japan prime minister provides “outstanding” address on U.S. relationship

Thank you for supporting "Arkies in the Beltway!" Make sure to keep up with all news involving Arkansas at arkansasonline.com. You can also stay informed about what's happening in the nation's capital by following me online; my handle across all social media platforms is @AlexHouseThomas.